We will be sharing this in segments, along with commentaries to reiterate the significance of the SCRIPTURES concerning this most wondrously HOLY, and BLESSED GIFT...
LUKE 1: 1-16...
1/ Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the events that have been fulfilled among us,
2/ just as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning and ministers of the word have handed them down to us,
3/ I too have decided, after investigating everything accurately anew, to write it down in an orderly sequence for you, most excellent Theophilus,
4/ so that you may realize the certainty of the teachings you have received.
5/ In the days of Herod, King of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah of the priestly division of Abijah; his wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.
6/ Both were righteous in the eyes of God, observing all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly.
7/ But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren and both were advanced in years.
8/ Once when he was serving as priest in his division's turn before God,
9/ according to the practice of the priestly service, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord to burn incense.
10/ Then, when the whole assembly of the people was praying outside at the hour of the incense offering,
11/ the angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right of the altar of incense.
12/ Zechariah was troubled by what he saw, and fear came upon him.
13/ But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall name him John.
14/ And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth,
15/ for he will be great in the sight of (the) Lord. He will drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will be filled with the holy Spirit even from his mother's womb,
16/ and he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.
Luke will not write of things about which Christians may safely differ from one another, and hesitate within themselves; but the things which are, and ought to be surely believed. The doctrine of Christ is what the wisest and best of men have ventured their souls upon with confidence and satisfaction. And the great events whereon our hopes depend, have been recorded by those who were from the beginning eye-witnesses and ministers of the word, and who were perfected in their understanding of them through Divine inspiration.
The father and mother of John the Baptist were sinners as all are, and were justified and saved in the same way as others; but they were eminent for piety and integrity. They had no children, and it could not be expected that Elisabeth should have any in her old age.
While Zacharias was burning incense in the temple, the whole multitude of the people were praying without. All the prayers we offer up to God, are acceptable and successful only by Christ's intercession in the temple of God above. We cannot expect an interest therein if we do not pray, and pray with our spirits, and are not earnest in prayer. Nor can we expect that the best of our prayers should gain acceptance, and bring an answer of peace, but through the mediation of Christ, who ever lives, making intercession.
The prayers Zacharias often made, received an answer of peace. Prayers of faith are filed in heaven, and are not forgotten. Prayers made when we were young and entering into the world, may be answered when we are old and going out of the world.
Mercies are doubly sweet that are given in answer to prayer. Zacharias shall have a son in his old age, who shall be instrumental in the conversion of many souls to God, and preparing them to receive the gospel of Christ. He shall go before Him with courage, zeal, holiness, and a mind dead to earthly interests and pleasures. The disobedient and rebellious would be brought back to the wisdom of their righteous forefathers, or rather, brought to attend to the wisdom of that Just One who was coming among them.
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